Full Name: Veronice Maria Killingsley From (Hometown): Originally from London, England. Moved to Brooklyn, New York. Gender: Female Ethnicity: Caucasian Traits (Appearance): Chestnut hair that extends to her shoulders, bright blue eyes, average height and thin yet muscular build. Reason for coming on the plane: She was travelling for a news article. Brief History (Criminal record, past): Lived in London England until she was 18 years old. She then moved to New York and studied journalism at NYU. Anything else: She is very witty and social. Which is one of the many things that makes her a good writer/journalist.
DAY ONE
The island was covered in wreckage, the air consisted of a thick gas-like fog. I couldn't believe my eyes. I was on my way from Miami on a business trip, and halfway through the plane ride there was a very tough patch of turbulence and suddenly the plane began to fall from the sky. I don't remember much besides that, since I had passed out from the sudden drop in elevation. I guess I should be ecstatic that I am still alive, I touched my face and patted along my sides. "Alright, you're fine." I said to myself. My clothes were dirty from the mud I landed in and my hair was burnt somehow. I looked around, suddenly realizing how quiet it had been. "There was a hole plane filled with people. There must be someone nearby that I could talk to." I said, yet again talking to myself. I stepped forward and felt something hard under my foot, it definitely wasn't a rock. I glanced down to see my cell phone, which was covered in all sorts of dirt, lying on the ground. I picked it up and cleaned it off in one swift motion. "Come on, come on, come on." I said, holding in the power button to turn it on. It made a quick noise and lit up, my expression lighting up with it. I went to type in my password and it suddenly made a noise signalling it was about to die. Then the screen went black, along with some of my hope. The sun was starting to set, I had to start doing something. I pulled up my sleeves, put up my dirt cacked hair and started walking.
DAY TWO
I had been walking for what seemed like hours. But it had only been about fourty-five minutes if my calculations are correct. I was taking notes and in my notebook, hoping that it would in some way or another spare my sanity and maybe help me figure things out. The sun had set about a half hour ago and I continued to make my way through the tropical forest. In complete darkness.Twigs were constantly breaking underneath my feet, causing me to high step my way along the mud covered ground. I stopped for a second, trying to make sense of where I now was, and wrote down observations in my notebook. A loud shrieking noise came out of nowhere, the intensity of the scream made me jump back. I then tripped over a tree branch and fell right on my face into a thorn bush, or what I thought was a thorn bush. All I know was it didn't feel good at all. I couldn't see well enough in the darkness to figure out how to get up, I tried to grab onto a nearby tree branch and pull myself forward. After a couple brutal minutes of slipping and falling I made my way back up on my feet once again. "Wait. Where is my notebook!" I yelled out to no one in particular, since the only person I knew on this goddamn island was myself. An urge of nervousness and panic washed over my body in a matter of seconds, in a matter of seconds I was searching the forest floor as blind as a bat. I needed this notebook, I could feel my sanity slowly slipping away without it. My right hand, now soaked with mud and probably wet with blood grazed against something long and thin. "Yes!" I picked up my pen and pushed it up in the air happily. But then the world went black.
DAY THREE
The world slowly came into focus. My thoughts felt heavy and cloudy, like I had just woken up from a coma or something. My eyes darted around, taking in all of my surroundings. I was in a tent, I was now in clean clothes that were too big for my small frame, and I heard whispers coming from outside the tent. So many thoughts ran through my head; Who's out there? What do they want with me? Friend or foe? The only way for me to know was to go and find out. I sat up slowly, trying to avoid an inevitable head rush, and opened the door-like entrance in the tent. Outside the tent stood a guy and a girl, both of which looked my age. "Hey! Look who's up!" the girl said to the guy in a motherly tone. He looked up and smiled, finishing up what he was doing. "Where am I? Do I know you guys?" I said, trying to stay calm and stop my voice from shaking. "Hello, I am Sarah, and this is Jake." Sarah said motioning to herself then Jake. She continued talking before I could introduce myself. "We do not know you and we are also very sorry. We were walking in the forest the same time you were and didn't know what or who was there so we kind of freaked out a little." Sarah said gripping her arm tightly, nervous. Jake went up next to her and began to talk. "Yes we are very sorry, we have been stranded on this island way too long and it has gotten to our heads. We felt terrible when we realized you were too stranded on this terrible place. We hope you can forgive us." He talked with so much suave I almost forgot what I was supposed to be mad about. "It's okay, I totally understand how you guys must feel. I haven't even been here a whole day and so much has already happened to me." I said, suddenly feeling the need to sit down. "How did you get here if I might ask?" Jake asked, puzzled. "I don't remember everything. But I do remember being on a plane, and I guess it crashed. And here I am." I said waving my arms around as if they didn't know where we were. "Oh okay, I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully we all get found soon. That would be terrific!" Jake said, obviously trying to put a positive spin on things. Sarah and I both nodded in unison. "Well it's almost time for supper, Jake why don't you show....I'm sorry we didn't even give you a chance to introduce yourself, what's your name?" Sarah asked beginning to blush. "Veronica. Veronica Killingsley." I replied.
DAY FOUR
The smell of food caused my nose to twitch, I have never been this hungry. Sarah removed a pot off of the fire and set it on the forest floor, giving it time to cool off. She began to pour a dark liquid into small wooden bowls, I never would have even pondered the thought of eating that rubbish two days ago. But now I wanted nothing more. She handed me the bowl gingerly, I slowly wrapped both hands along the warm sides of the bowl. Heat found its way into my cold, dry, and significantly bloody hands. I began to sip from the bowl when Sarah yelled at me "Be careful it's very hot!" She said in a motherly tone yet again. I noticed how worn she looked, bags hid under her eyes and her face looked drawn with tiredness and beaten by time. "How old are you guys?" I asked the two, gently blowing one the liquid in the bowl. Jake was too indebted to his food to answer, so Sarah began to respond. "I'm twenty-two and Jake is nineteen. We're brother and sister, if you couldn't tell already. How old are you?" She asked. "I'm twenty-four." I responded almost immediately. Sarah nodded, processing the small amount of information I had just given her. I gave my food one last blow and finally started to eat. It didn't taste too bad, it didn't taste like much of anything really, I ate it all in a matter of seconds. I set the bowl down next to me and finally started to relax.
DAY FIVE
I woke up to the slow crackling of the fire. It was dark out, I must have fallen asleep. I sat up and stretched. "What time is it?" I asked, realizing right after that it had to be the most stupid question ever, and that there was no one there. I stood up too fast for my own feet to carry me, suddenly scared and confused. I peeped my head into one of the tents. Sarah, thank god, was sleeping inside the one tent. Jake wasn't in any of the tents, I turned around, scouring the area for any signs of him. Nothing. A loud crackling noise came from some trees up ahead of me and I nearly screamed. "J-j-jake?" I said, my voice wavered about ten times, fear had a choke hold on my vocal cords. I picked up a branch off the ground, as if that would help, and started walking towards the area the noise came from. "Come on Jake I know it's you." I spoke again, slightly more controlled than the previous time. As soon as I finished talking, a small frog leaped across my feet, and onto one of the trees. I exhaled loudly, realizing that i had been holding my breath the whole time. I lowered my arm, which was outstretched with the branch, and turned around to go back to Sarah. It was a beautiful night, the stars were sparkling in the sky and the moon was bright and lit up everything. I stopped to take it all in, but heard a quick stopping sound behind me. I turned around, and there he was. "Jake? What are you doing out here?" I asked him confusedly. "I think the better question is, what are you doing out here? You shouldn't be out here! You should no better!" He started screaming and moving closer to me. I took a step back and said "Jake, are you okay? Come on we're almost back Sarah's there we can take care of you." He blankly stared at me, then before I could react he lunged at me. Tackling me in one swift motion. "No one is safe here don't you understand! No One!" He started hitting me, I tried to fight back but he was far too big and strong. "Jake! Stop! Get off of her now!" Sarah's voice came from afar, she was running to him, she kicked him hardly in the side and he fell over. I quickly sprung to my feet and ran to Sarah. "Go back to the tent now, I'll take care of this." Sarah said, I had no choice but to listen.
DAY SIX
I couldn't sleep, my mind was racing and my body was still shaking in fear. What did Jake mean when he said no one is safe here? Was he delusional? Why am I still here, should I leave? Where would I go? Hopefully Sarah had an explanation for all of this, but I don't think I'll make it till morning to find out. But unfortunately I don't think I have any other option. I turned on my side and forced myself to go to sleep and stop thinking, hoping I could go to sleep in peace.
I woke up what felt like a couple minutes later, but it was now light out once again. Another day on what was beginning to feel like a living hell. I walked out of the tent, Sarah was sitting by the dwindling fire, her hand palming her face. "Hey." I said tentatively, sitting down across from her. She slowly drew her head up from her hand and looked at me blankly. "How are you?" I asked, hoping she'd mention the events of last night and tell me it was all a bad dream or something. "Not good, Jake acted out again and this time he almost actually hurt someone. I don't know what to do anymore." She said like I knew what she was talking about. I tilted my head confusedly, thinking maybe she would get the hint. "We've been on this island for far too long, and it has taken a big toll on Jake. People express it in all kinds of ways, and Jake expresses it violently. I don't know what to do, usually he just goes out and kills an animal or something, but based on what happened last night it seems like he's capable of much more. I'm sorry, I'm just glad I found you two at the time I did." She said in a light whisper, every now and then glancing over at Jake's tent. He must have been in there.
DAY SEVEN
It's been seven days, seven confusing, terrifying, and difficult days on this island. I'm lucky to have met some people in the same situation as myself, but I don't know how much longer I can stay here with them. After my conversation with Sarah I decided I would leave and try to find better shelter and food, and who knows maybe there are more people on this island than I think. So I gathered the minuscule amount that is my belongings, took some food for the road and was on my way.
The island was so eerie during the day. There was little to no wind, and for the amount for the amount of wildlife present there was hardly any noise. The only thing present was me and my thoughts, which were all over the place. I needed to find some sort of shelter for the night, I saddled up next to a tree and wrote until I fell asleep.
DAY EIGHT
The wind thrashed my hair across my face as I explored the forest. "That's it." I said to myself. These conditions did not favor long hair in any way shape or form. I pulled a pocketknife out of my t-shirt pocket that I had taken from Sarah and Jake and started cutting. I watched as locks of thick chestnut brown hair hit the forest floor, a twinge of nostalgia pained in my stomach and I felt the urge to cry. "No." I stopped myself, I only have myself to rely on on this island, I have to stay strong, it's the only way I can survive. I thought as I swatted the hair pieces that fell onto my shoulders, shook off the stupidity and despair, and brushed my fingers through my now short hair. I felt stronger all of a sudden, and even though I knew none of this would come or be easy, I could find a way home.
DAY NINE
The more I walked around the island, the more I noticed about it. It was vast and full of all kinds of wildlife. I encountered so many different animals, some of which I couldn't identify because they were foreign to me. There were bright colored plants and spongy thick trees surrounding me with every turn I took. My thoughts ran amuck, but one thought kept reappearing in my head, Am I walking in circles? I pulled out my notepad and started to sketch down a drawing of the island from what I have witnessed so far and wrote down things that indicate if I have been in the area before. I didn't think about stopping to draw down these things and walked into a huge swarm of what I call "Island bugs" (since I don't know what kind they really are) and nearly fell over. I stopped and spit out the mouthful of island bugs and rubbed my eyes feverishly with the semi clean backs of my hands. When I opened my eyes there was something very different about the island I saw in front of me. A lion stared straight at me, its eyes were encompassed with a steamy anger and passion for human flesh. I went silent, too afraid to breathe. Maybe if I stay still it won't notice I'm here. But it already had its eyes focused on me, I had to go. I quickly turned around and sprinted, the lion angrily roared behind me.
DAY TEN
I ran as fast as I could away from the god forsaken lion, I twisted and turned through the trees and dodged random rocks and stones along the way. It wasn't long until the lion caught up to me. I had to think of something, and I had to think fast. As I was running I felt the end of the knife I had taken from Sarah and Jake rub against my side, I knew what I had to do, I just hoped I would be able to do it. I stopped dead in my tracks and the lion flew forward, it had too much momentum to stop the way I did. As it began to turn around and come back for me I grabbed the knife and threw it as hard as I could, hoping that I could hit the lion just were I needed to to kill it, or at the very least stop it for a second. The knife flew in the air as if it were in slow motion, and the next thing I knew it was right smack in the lions side. The lion let out a whimper and fell over. I quickly ran over and retrieved my knife and ran away. As I ran away I could hear the lions roars, I stopped and looked up at the sky, it was beginning to get dark out, I needed to find shelter and I had to find it quick. I used the knife and made my way up into a tree, that would be the only way I could stay safe tonight. I sat on a branch, the wind blew hair lightly, and the beads of sweat on my forehead slowly dried and turned into chills.
DAY ELEVEN
I woke up to a startling noise. Silence. I sat up slightly, suddenly aware I had been sleeping in a tree, and nearly fell. I reached for my knife so I could get down from the tree without hurting myself. “What the” I said, my wrists were tied to the tree branch I was resting on. Did I do this? I thought to myself, last night was such a blur I didn’t know entirely what I had done or was willing to do. The rope/hemp that was surrounding my wrists was very tough, with each pull I could feel my skin being torn and exposed. I started to squirm from the discomfort and pain. I pulled and pulled then suddenly both of my hands came flying out, my body flying back with them. I landed with a big thump onto the forest floor. “Bloody hell.” I said in between gasps, the fall knocked breath out of me. "Veronica? Oh god are you okay?" a concerned and familiar voice presented itself, Sarah. She ran over to me and helped me up on my feet. "What happened to you?" She asked me. "I was walking around and trying to either find people or something that could lead to us being found and on my way I ran into a lion, almost got eaten alive, and slept and fell out of that tree." I said nonchalantly and pointed to the tree I slept in. "Wait, what are you doing all the way out here? Where's Jake?" I asked her confusedly. She stood there silent for a little, then she began to speak. "Soon after you left a bunch of natives raided our campsite and demanded we come with them. Jake and I made a run for it, but somehow they got hold of him and I didn't have time to save him They took him away, I was looking for you and was hoping you could help me find him?" She said, her voice grew weaker the longer she talked. "Of course I will help you find him." I said to her, she began to cry. I leaned towards her and hugged her, "We'll find him together I promise."
DAY TWELVE
Sarah and I fought our way through the foliage of the forest, taking our knives and swatting different branches and leaves away from our face. Every couple minutes we would stop and assess where we were and the spot we were at, scouring the area for any sign of Jake. So far all we had found were some very interesting animals and a ton of berries. “There have to be other people on this island, there has to be some way we can get home. It’s been too long, wouldn’t someone be looking for us now?” Sarah began to say, speaking into her palms. I couldn’t see her face, but I didn’t need to to know that she was crying. I stood next to her and patted her back, “We’ll get through this, and we’ll find Jake. It will be okay.” I said. I felt a sudden twinge in my stomach, would it be okay? I shook off the thought, someone has to be strong, and that was going to be me.
DAY THIRTEEN
Sarah wouldn’t stop crying, and I had had enough. “Come on, we’re not going to find Jake by sitting around pouting.” I said. She slowly stood up, sniffling, and we started walking once again. The island seemed different today, I don’t know what it is but there was this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, and I was still deciding whether it was good or bad. Something wet hit me in the face, I moved back in shock. Then it happened again, then again. Sarah looked up at the sky, “It’s raining.” She said with no emotion whatsoever. I came to the realization that it was the first time it had rained on this island since I had gotten here.
As time went on the rain began to pick up and get more intense by the second. We had tried looking for cover but there wasn’t any area that wasn’t already wet, so we kept on walking. Thunder echoed in the distance, my body shook with each rumble. Sarah turned around and was talking to me, but she was too far away for me to hear over the rain. I yelled back to her, but she put her finger over her mouth, signalling me to be quiet, and looked at me frantically. I ran over to her, all she did was point forward, her arm shaking. I looked over and immediately saw tents and a group of people standing near them, natives. Then I noticed someone tied up laying on the ground, I couldn’t make out who it was because the rain was coming down too hard. I didn’t need to, Sarah’s reaction was enough. She stood there speechless. The natives started talking louder and looking in our direction, they saw us. “Sarah.” I said demanding her attention, “We need to hide. Now.”
DAY FOURTEEN
I spotted a bush that was big enough for the both of us to hide underneath and not be seen. I looked at Sarah and pointed to the bush, we both sprinted towards it as fast and silently as we could. Sarah let out a scared and loud squeal, I quickly elbowed her in the ribs "Do you want to end up like Jake?" I whispered to her angrily. She shut up in a matter of seconds. "Now lets watch and try to see if we can figure out what is happening to Jake." I said lightly, I didn't want to break her after all, she was all I had at the moment. She nodded, once again wiping her eyes, it really surprised me how someone as weak as her could last this long on an island with hardly anyone. The natives started talking, which shut up my loud and annoying thoughts. I couldn't make out what they were saying, I think they were talking in a different language, but I could hardly tell. "Do you hear them? Do you know what they are saying?" I asked Sarah, who appeared to be listening intently. "Yeah, they are talking about some plan, they want to take over the island and either kill or enslave every one they find." She responded. Why was Jake still alive then? I thought, none of this was making sense to me. She turned her head and looked right at me. "And they want Jake to help them find everyone, or he will die."
DAY FIFTEEN
I explore the new surroundings that was the afterlife. I walked around aimlessly, kicking at the ground every now and then, still trying to fathom that I am dead. She fricking left, she literally left me for dead. I knew she was a coward, it makes me sick. I bent over, thinking I might actually be sick, but I couldn't be, I was dead after all. I took a deep breath, there was no point in getting bent out of shape over it all, none of it no longer mattered. I continued walking and observing, taking in death in its entirety. Everything seemed so much calmer and less important, as if you were on a vacation and didn't have a single worry in the world. Certain parts of this place reminded me of home, home, now that word had more meaning than it ever has before. I didn't even get to say goodbye.
DAY SIXTEEN
My anger transformed into sadness, my feelings seemed more apparent than ever now that I was dead. I looked around, no one was here, there had to be someone to talk to, anyone. "Hello." A voice said from behind me, I turned around. There stood a little girl, about eight years old, her eyes still beaming with innocence. She looked oddly familiar to me, but I couldn't place it. She held a notepad, scribbling in what seemed like something very important. "Hello. What's your name sweetie?" I interrupted her and asked slowly leaning my body toward her. She looked up at me, annoyed that I was talking to her while she was writing, "Who are you?" She asked me quizzically, raising one eyebrow at me. "My name is Veronica, yours?" She looked me right in the eyes, "Hey! That's my name!" She squealed, holding up her notebook, on the top of the inside cover it read Veronica Killingsley.
DAY SEVENTEEN
I paused. What? Was this little girl me? "Where are you from?" I asked her, I spilled out, nervous and confused. Well I guess I was no longer living anymore, so why should I be expecting anything but out of the ordinary. "I'm from London, England. You can call me V, that's what my parents call me." She said matter of fact, twiddling her pencil between her fingers like a baton. She began walking away. "Come! There is so much to see!" she yelled out enthusiastically and waving her arms around, she let out a giggle. I had forgotten how lively and cheerful I was when I was younger, I don't know what happened to me.
We had been walking for a while, my legs had hurt for a while now. The whole heaven thing didn't make any sense to me. Why do I feel pain even though I am dead? Why do I still feel alive? Shouldn't there be some aspect that isn't? And most of all, why is there more than one of me here in heaven? "Where are we going?" I asked her, wiping sweat from my forehead. She just glanced back at me then stopped walking, finally. She was looking downward, I focused my attention. Something about it was so familiar. "It's the island." I said, she just nodded.
DAY EIGHTEEN
The island looked so much different now, I guess death has that type of effect. Younger me was scribbling fiercely in her notebook, the sound of the pencil scratching on the paper tickled my ears. I looked down towards her, "Why did you take me here?" I asked her. "I figured you would want to see what is going on now, and what the island was actually like." She said, hardly lifting her head up from her notebook. "Oh." was all I could say, I was distracted by someone wandering near the edge of the island. "Is.. is that.. Sarah?" I asked, my face became flushed with anger and hatred. What is she doing? She should be dead not me. How is she even alive still with me gone? I sat on the ground, I didn't want to think anymore.
DAY NINETEEN
My hands were shaking and I wanted to scream. I had been wondering why I was so calm in heaven, but being calm was no longer possible. I let out a huge anger filled sigh and pounded the ground with my hands. "It's okay, you're safer here Veronica. You tried your best to stay alive, but unfortunately things don't always work out." Young me said, her arm awkwardly hovering near my shoulder, not sure as to how or if I needed comforting. She stood up and waved her arm up, as if summoning a ghost or something. The picture of the island disappeared, and a very familiar picture took its place. "Is.. is.. is that.." I stuttered, taken aback. "Home." younger me said in a sigh, as if saying it in such a way could get rid of her pain. My stomach did a flip after she said it, my emotions took over my body and knocked me over like a wave at the beach. The door to the house opened, and there they all were. My family.
DAY TWENTY
I have never felt so vulnerable and emotionally drained in my life, or afterlife I should say. I had been the tough, strong willed one since I was little. If I fell, I got right back up and brushed it off, if something bad happened to me, I certainly didn't let it get to me. I was the strongest person in my family. But seeing them without me there made me a puddle of sadness and sorrow. I could hear young me walk up behind me, she then sat down next to me and watching me cautiously, assessing how to comfort me. She looked at me and began to talk "Veronica. Your life may have been shortly lived, and I know you miss your family and life back home. But try to think on the positive side, you may not be with your family, but you can most certainly watch over them and make sure they're safe and sound. And you can still write, which you and I both know you love to do. Don't hold onto this anger and sadness, it will only make it all worse and that much more unbearable." I looked at her, thinking about all she had just said. It was all true, and I had to accept that my life on Earth was no longer an option, but I now have a life here that I can live to the same extent. I stood up, she stood up with me, and I gave her a hug. Nothing more needed to be said. "So where's the food around here?" I asked, she laughed and we started walking.
Full Name: Veronice Maria Killingsley
From (Hometown): Originally from London, England. Moved to Brooklyn, New York.
Gender: Female
Ethnicity: Caucasian
Traits (Appearance): Chestnut hair that extends to her shoulders, bright blue eyes, average height and thin yet muscular build.
Reason for coming on the plane: She was travelling for a news article.
Brief History (Criminal record, past): Lived in London England until she was 18 years old. She then moved to New York and studied journalism at NYU.
Anything else: She is very witty and social. Which is one of the many things that makes her a good writer/journalist.
DAY ONE
The island was covered in wreckage, the air consisted of a thick gas-like fog. I couldn't believe my eyes. I was on my way from Miami on a business trip, and halfway through the plane ride there was a very tough patch of turbulence and suddenly the plane began to fall from the sky. I don't remember much besides that, since I had passed out from the sudden drop in elevation. I guess I should be ecstatic that I am still alive, I touched my face and patted along my sides. "Alright, you're fine." I said to myself. My clothes were dirty from the mud I landed in and my hair was burnt somehow. I looked around, suddenly realizing how quiet it had been. "There was a hole plane filled with people. There must be someone nearby that I could talk to." I said, yet again talking to myself. I stepped forward and felt something hard under my foot, it definitely wasn't a rock. I glanced down to see my cell phone, which was covered in all sorts of dirt, lying on the ground. I picked it up and cleaned it off in one swift motion. "Come on, come on, come on." I said, holding in the power button to turn it on. It made a quick noise and lit up, my expression lighting up with it. I went to type in my password and it suddenly made a noise signalling it was about to die. Then the screen went black, along with some of my hope. The sun was starting to set, I had to start doing something. I pulled up my sleeves, put up my dirt cacked hair and started walking.DAY TWO
I had been walking for what seemed like hours. But it had only been about fourty-five minutes if my calculations are correct. I was taking notes and in my notebook, hoping that it would in some way or another spare my sanity and maybe help me figure things out. The sun had set about a half hour ago and I continued to make my way through the tropical forest. In complete darkness.Twigs were constantly breaking underneath my feet, causing me to high step my way along the mud covered ground. I stopped for a second, trying to make sense of where I now was, and wrote down observations in my notebook. A loud shrieking noise came out of nowhere, the intensity of the scream made me jump back. I then tripped over a tree branch and fell right on my face into a thorn bush, or what I thought was a thorn bush. All I know was it didn't feel good at all. I couldn't see well enough in the darkness to figure out how to get up, I tried to grab onto a nearby tree branch and pull myself forward. After a couple brutal minutes of slipping and falling I made my way back up on my feet once again. "Wait. Where is my notebook!" I yelled out to no one in particular, since the only person I knew on this goddamn island was myself. An urge of nervousness and panic washed over my body in a matter of seconds, in a matter of seconds I was searching the forest floor as blind as a bat. I needed this notebook, I could feel my sanity slowly slipping away without it. My right hand, now soaked with mud and probably wet with blood grazed against something long and thin. "Yes!" I picked up my pen and pushed it up in the air happily. But then the world went black.DAY THREE
The world slowly came into focus. My thoughts felt heavy and cloudy, like I had just woken up from a coma or something. My eyes darted around, taking in all of my surroundings. I was in a tent, I was now in clean clothes that were too big for my small frame, and I heard whispers coming from outside the tent. So many thoughts ran through my head; Who's out there? What do they want with me? Friend or foe? The only way for me to know was to go and find out. I sat up slowly, trying to avoid an inevitable head rush, and opened the door-like entrance in the tent. Outside the tent stood a guy and a girl, both of which looked my age. "Hey! Look who's up!" the girl said to the guy in a motherly tone. He looked up and smiled, finishing up what he was doing. "Where am I? Do I know you guys?" I said, trying to stay calm and stop my voice from shaking. "Hello, I am Sarah, and this is Jake." Sarah said motioning to herself then Jake. She continued talking before I could introduce myself. "We do not know you and we are also very sorry. We were walking in the forest the same time you were and didn't know what or who was there so we kind of freaked out a little." Sarah said gripping her arm tightly, nervous. Jake went up next to her and began to talk. "Yes we are very sorry, we have been stranded on this island way too long and it has gotten to our heads. We felt terrible when we realized you were too stranded on this terrible place. We hope you can forgive us." He talked with so much suave I almost forgot what I was supposed to be mad about. "It's okay, I totally understand how you guys must feel. I haven't even been here a whole day and so much has already happened to me." I said, suddenly feeling the need to sit down. "How did you get here if I might ask?" Jake asked, puzzled. "I don't remember everything. But I do remember being on a plane, and I guess it crashed. And here I am." I said waving my arms around as if they didn't know where we were. "Oh okay, I'm sorry to hear that. Hopefully we all get found soon. That would be terrific!" Jake said, obviously trying to put a positive spin on things. Sarah and I both nodded in unison. "Well it's almost time for supper, Jake why don't you show....I'm sorry we didn't even give you a chance to introduce yourself, what's your name?" Sarah asked beginning to blush. "Veronica. Veronica Killingsley." I replied.DAY FOUR
The smell of food caused my nose to twitch, I have never been this hungry. Sarah removed a pot off of the fire and set it on the forest floor, giving it time to cool off. She began to pour a dark liquid into small wooden bowls, I never would have even pondered the thought of eating that rubbish two days ago. But now I wanted nothing more. She handed me the bowl gingerly, I slowly wrapped both hands along the warm sides of the bowl. Heat found its way into my cold, dry, and significantly bloody hands. I began to sip from the bowl when Sarah yelled at me "Be careful it's very hot!" She said in a motherly tone yet again. I noticed how worn she looked, bags hid under her eyes and her face looked drawn with tiredness and beaten by time. "How old are you guys?" I asked the two, gently blowing one the liquid in the bowl. Jake was too indebted to his food to answer, so Sarah began to respond. "I'm twenty-two and Jake is nineteen. We're brother and sister, if you couldn't tell already. How old are you?" She asked. "I'm twenty-four." I responded almost immediately. Sarah nodded, processing the small amount of information I had just given her. I gave my food one last blow and finally started to eat. It didn't taste too bad, it didn't taste like much of anything really, I ate it all in a matter of seconds. I set the bowl down next to me and finally started to relax.DAY FIVE
I woke up to the slow crackling of the fire. It was dark out, I must have fallen asleep. I sat up and stretched. "What time is it?" I asked, realizing right after that it had to be the most stupid question ever, and that there was no one there. I stood up too fast for my own feet to carry me, suddenly scared and confused. I peeped my head into one of the tents. Sarah, thank god, was sleeping inside the one tent. Jake wasn't in any of the tents, I turned around, scouring the area for any signs of him. Nothing. A loud crackling noise came from some trees up ahead of me and I nearly screamed. "J-j-jake?" I said, my voice wavered about ten times, fear had a choke hold on my vocal cords. I picked up a branch off the ground, as if that would help, and started walking towards the area the noise came from. "Come on Jake I know it's you." I spoke again, slightly more controlled than the previous time. As soon as I finished talking, a small frog leaped across my feet, and onto one of the trees. I exhaled loudly, realizing that i had been holding my breath the whole time. I lowered my arm, which was outstretched with the branch, and turned around to go back to Sarah. It was a beautiful night, the stars were sparkling in the sky and the moon was bright and lit up everything. I stopped to take it all in, but heard a quick stopping sound behind me. I turned around, and there he was. "Jake? What are you doing out here?" I asked him confusedly. "I think the better question is, what are you doing out here? You shouldn't be out here! You should no better!" He started screaming and moving closer to me. I took a step back and said "Jake, are you okay? Come on we're almost back Sarah's there we can take care of you." He blankly stared at me, then before I could react he lunged at me. Tackling me in one swift motion. "No one is safe here don't you understand! No One!" He started hitting me, I tried to fight back but he was far too big and strong. "Jake! Stop! Get off of her now!" Sarah's voice came from afar, she was running to him, she kicked him hardly in the side and he fell over. I quickly sprung to my feet and ran to Sarah. "Go back to the tent now, I'll take care of this." Sarah said, I had no choice but to listen.DAY SIX
I couldn't sleep, my mind was racing and my body was still shaking in fear. What did Jake mean when he said no one is safe here? Was he delusional? Why am I still here, should I leave? Where would I go? Hopefully Sarah had an explanation for all of this, but I don't think I'll make it till morning to find out. But unfortunately I don't think I have any other option. I turned on my side and forced myself to go to sleep and stop thinking, hoping I could go to sleep in peace.I woke up what felt like a couple minutes later, but it was now light out once again. Another day on what was beginning to feel like a living hell. I walked out of the tent, Sarah was sitting by the dwindling fire, her hand palming her face. "Hey." I said tentatively, sitting down across from her. She slowly drew her head up from her hand and looked at me blankly. "How are you?" I asked, hoping she'd mention the events of last night and tell me it was all a bad dream or something. "Not good, Jake acted out again and this time he almost actually hurt someone. I don't know what to do anymore." She said like I knew what she was talking about. I tilted my head confusedly, thinking maybe she would get the hint. "We've been on this island for far too long, and it has taken a big toll on Jake. People express it in all kinds of ways, and Jake expresses it violently. I don't know what to do, usually he just goes out and kills an animal or something, but based on what happened last night it seems like he's capable of much more. I'm sorry, I'm just glad I found you two at the time I did." She said in a light whisper, every now and then glancing over at Jake's tent. He must have been in there.
DAY SEVEN
It's been seven days, seven confusing, terrifying, and difficult days on this island. I'm lucky to have met some people in the same situation as myself, but I don't know how much longer I can stay here with them. After my conversation with Sarah I decided I would leave and try to find better shelter and food, and who knows maybe there are more people on this island than I think. So I gathered the minuscule amount that is my belongings, took some food for the road and was on my way.The island was so eerie during the day. There was little to no wind, and for the amount for the amount of wildlife present there was hardly any noise. The only thing present was me and my thoughts, which were all over the place. I needed to find some sort of shelter for the night, I saddled up next to a tree and wrote until I fell asleep.
DAY EIGHT
The wind thrashed my hair across my face as I explored the forest. "That's it." I said to myself. These conditions did not favor long hair in any way shape or form. I pulled a pocketknife out of my t-shirt pocket that I had taken from Sarah and Jake and started cutting. I watched as locks of thick chestnut brown hair hit the forest floor, a twinge of nostalgia pained in my stomach and I felt the urge to cry. "No." I stopped myself, I only have myself to rely on on this island, I have to stay strong, it's the only way I can survive. I thought as I swatted the hair pieces that fell onto my shoulders, shook off the stupidity and despair, and brushed my fingers through my now short hair. I felt stronger all of a sudden, and even though I knew none of this would come or be easy, I could find a way home.DAY NINE
The more I walked around the island, the more I noticed about it. It was vast and full of all kinds of wildlife. I encountered so many different animals, some of which I couldn't identify because they were foreign to me. There were bright colored plants and spongy thick trees surrounding me with every turn I took. My thoughts ran amuck, but one thought kept reappearing in my head, Am I walking in circles? I pulled out my notepad and started to sketch down a drawing of the island from what I have witnessed so far and wrote down things that indicate if I have been in the area before. I didn't think about stopping to draw down these things and walked into a huge swarm of what I call "Island bugs" (since I don't know what kind they really are) and nearly fell over. I stopped and spit out the mouthful of island bugs and rubbed my eyes feverishly with the semi clean backs of my hands. When I opened my eyes there was something very different about the island I saw in front of me. A lion stared straight at me, its eyes were encompassed with a steamy anger and passion for human flesh. I went silent, too afraid to breathe. Maybe if I stay still it won't notice I'm here. But it already had its eyes focused on me, I had to go. I quickly turned around and sprinted, the lion angrily roared behind me.DAY TEN
I ran as fast as I could away from the god forsaken lion, I twisted and turned through the trees and dodged random rocks and stones along the way. It wasn't long until the lion caught up to me. I had to think of something, and I had to think fast. As I was running I felt the end of the knife I had taken from Sarah and Jake rub against my side, I knew what I had to do, I just hoped I would be able to do it. I stopped dead in my tracks and the lion flew forward, it had too much momentum to stop the way I did. As it began to turn around and come back for me I grabbed the knife and threw it as hard as I could, hoping that I could hit the lion just were I needed to to kill it, or at the very least stop it for a second. The knife flew in the air as if it were in slow motion, and the next thing I knew it was right smack in the lions side. The lion let out a whimper and fell over. I quickly ran over and retrieved my knife and ran away. As I ran away I could hear the lions roars, I stopped and looked up at the sky, it was beginning to get dark out, I needed to find shelter and I had to find it quick. I used the knife and made my way up into a tree, that would be the only way I could stay safe tonight. I sat on a branch, the wind blew hair lightly, and the beads of sweat on my forehead slowly dried and turned into chills.DAY ELEVEN
I woke up to a startling noise. Silence. I sat up slightly, suddenly aware I had been sleeping in a tree, and nearly fell. I reached for my knife so I could get down from the tree without hurting myself. “What the” I said, my wrists were tied to the tree branch I was resting on. Did I do this? I thought to myself, last night was such a blur I didn’t know entirely what I had done or was willing to do. The rope/hemp that was surrounding my wrists was very tough, with each pull I could feel my skin being torn and exposed. I started to squirm from the discomfort and pain. I pulled and pulled then suddenly both of my hands came flying out, my body flying back with them. I landed with a big thump onto the forest floor. “Bloody hell.” I said in between gasps, the fall knocked breath out of me. "Veronica? Oh god are you okay?" a concerned and familiar voice presented itself, Sarah. She ran over to me and helped me up on my feet. "What happened to you?" She asked me. "I was walking around and trying to either find people or something that could lead to us being found and on my way I ran into a lion, almost got eaten alive, and slept and fell out of that tree." I said nonchalantly and pointed to the tree I slept in. "Wait, what are you doing all the way out here? Where's Jake?" I asked her confusedly. She stood there silent for a little, then she began to speak. "Soon after you left a bunch of natives raided our campsite and demanded we come with them. Jake and I made a run for it, but somehow they got hold of him and I didn't have time to save him They took him away, I was looking for you and was hoping you could help me find him?" She said, her voice grew weaker the longer she talked. "Of course I will help you find him." I said to her, she began to cry. I leaned towards her and hugged her, "We'll find him together I promise."DAY TWELVE
Sarah and I fought our way through the foliage of the forest, taking our knives and swatting different branches and leaves away from our face. Every couple minutes we would stop and assess where we were and the spot we were at, scouring the area for any sign of Jake. So far all we had found were some very interesting animals and a ton of berries. “There have to be other people on this island, there has to be some way we can get home. It’s been too long, wouldn’t someone be looking for us now?” Sarah began to say, speaking into her palms. I couldn’t see her face, but I didn’t need to to know that she was crying. I stood next to her and patted her back, “We’ll get through this, and we’ll find Jake. It will be okay.” I said. I felt a sudden twinge in my stomach, would it be okay? I shook off the thought, someone has to be strong, and that was going to be me.
DAY THIRTEEN
Sarah wouldn’t stop crying, and I had had enough. “Come on, we’re not going to find Jake by sitting around pouting.” I said. She slowly stood up, sniffling, and we started walking once again. The island seemed different today, I don’t know what it is but there was this weird feeling in the pit of my stomach, and I was still deciding whether it was good or bad. Something wet hit me in the face, I moved back in shock. Then it happened again, then again. Sarah looked up at the sky, “It’s raining.” She said with no emotion whatsoever. I came to the realization that it was the first time it had rained on this island since I had gotten here.
As time went on the rain began to pick up and get more intense by the second. We had tried looking for cover but there wasn’t any area that wasn’t already wet, so we kept on walking. Thunder echoed in the distance, my body shook with each rumble. Sarah turned around and was talking to me, but she was too far away for me to hear over the rain. I yelled back to her, but she put her finger over her mouth, signalling me to be quiet, and looked at me frantically. I ran over to her, all she did was point forward, her arm shaking. I looked over and immediately saw tents and a group of people standing near them, natives. Then I noticed someone tied up laying on the ground, I couldn’t make out who it was because the rain was coming down too hard. I didn’t need to, Sarah’s reaction was enough. She stood there speechless. The natives started talking louder and looking in our direction, they saw us. “Sarah.” I said demanding her attention, “We need to hide. Now.”
DAY FOURTEEN
I spotted a bush that was big enough for the both of us to hide underneath and not be seen. I looked at Sarah and pointed to the bush, we both sprinted towards it as fast and silently as we could. Sarah let out a scared and loud squeal, I quickly elbowed her in the ribs "Do you want to end up like Jake?" I whispered to her angrily. She shut up in a matter of seconds. "Now lets watch and try to see if we can figure out what is happening to Jake." I said lightly, I didn't want to break her after all, she was all I had at the moment. She nodded, once again wiping her eyes, it really surprised me how someone as weak as her could last this long on an island with hardly anyone. The natives started talking, which shut up my loud and annoying thoughts. I couldn't make out what they were saying, I think they were talking in a different language, but I could hardly tell. "Do you hear them? Do you know what they are saying?" I asked Sarah, who appeared to be listening intently. "Yeah, they are talking about some plan, they want to take over the island and either kill or enslave every one they find." She responded. Why was Jake still alive then? I thought, none of this was making sense to me. She turned her head and looked right at me. "And they want Jake to help them find everyone, or he will die."DAY FIFTEEN
I explore the new surroundings that was the afterlife. I walked around aimlessly, kicking at the ground every now and then, still trying to fathom that I am dead. She fricking left, she literally left me for dead. I knew she was a coward, it makes me sick. I bent over, thinking I might actually be sick, but I couldn't be, I was dead after all. I took a deep breath, there was no point in getting bent out of shape over it all, none of it no longer mattered. I continued walking and observing, taking in death in its entirety. Everything seemed so much calmer and less important, as if you were on a vacation and didn't have a single worry in the world. Certain parts of this place reminded me of home, home, now that word had more meaning than it ever has before. I didn't even get to say goodbye.DAY SIXTEEN
My anger transformed into sadness, my feelings seemed more apparent than ever now that I was dead. I looked around, no one was here, there had to be someone to talk to, anyone. "Hello." A voice said from behind me, I turned around. There stood a little girl, about eight years old, her eyes still beaming with innocence. She looked oddly familiar to me, but I couldn't place it. She held a notepad, scribbling in what seemed like something very important. "Hello. What's your name sweetie?" I interrupted her and asked slowly leaning my body toward her. She looked up at me, annoyed that I was talking to her while she was writing, "Who are you?" She asked me quizzically, raising one eyebrow at me. "My name is Veronica, yours?" She looked me right in the eyes, "Hey! That's my name!" She squealed, holding up her notebook, on the top of the inside cover it read Veronica Killingsley.DAY SEVENTEEN
I paused. What? Was this little girl me? "Where are you from?" I asked her, I spilled out, nervous and confused. Well I guess I was no longer living anymore, so why should I be expecting anything but out of the ordinary. "I'm from London, England. You can call me V, that's what my parents call me." She said matter of fact, twiddling her pencil between her fingers like a baton. She began walking away. "Come! There is so much to see!" she yelled out enthusiastically and waving her arms around, she let out a giggle. I had forgotten how lively and cheerful I was when I was younger, I don't know what happened to me.We had been walking for a while, my legs had hurt for a while now. The whole heaven thing didn't make any sense to me. Why do I feel pain even though I am dead? Why do I still feel alive? Shouldn't there be some aspect that isn't? And most of all, why is there more than one of me here in heaven? "Where are we going?" I asked her, wiping sweat from my forehead. She just glanced back at me then stopped walking, finally. She was looking downward, I focused my attention. Something about it was so familiar. "It's the island." I said, she just nodded.
DAY EIGHTEEN
The island looked so much different now, I guess death has that type of effect. Younger me was scribbling fiercely in her notebook, the sound of the pencil scratching on the paper tickled my ears. I looked down towards her, "Why did you take me here?" I asked her. "I figured you would want to see what is going on now, and what the island was actually like." She said, hardly lifting her head up from her notebook. "Oh." was all I could say, I was distracted by someone wandering near the edge of the island. "Is.. is that.. Sarah?" I asked, my face became flushed with anger and hatred. What is she doing? She should be dead not me. How is she even alive still with me gone? I sat on the ground, I didn't want to think anymore.DAY NINETEEN
My hands were shaking and I wanted to scream. I had been wondering why I was so calm in heaven, but being calm was no longer possible. I let out a huge anger filled sigh and pounded the ground with my hands. "It's okay, you're safer here Veronica. You tried your best to stay alive, but unfortunately things don't always work out." Young me said, her arm awkwardly hovering near my shoulder, not sure as to how or if I needed comforting. She stood up and waved her arm up, as if summoning a ghost or something. The picture of the island disappeared, and a very familiar picture took its place. "Is.. is.. is that.." I stuttered, taken aback. "Home." younger me said in a sigh, as if saying it in such a way could get rid of her pain. My stomach did a flip after she said it, my emotions took over my body and knocked me over like a wave at the beach. The door to the house opened, and there they all were. My family.DAY TWENTY
I have never felt so vulnerable and emotionally drained in my life, or afterlife I should say. I had been the tough, strong willed one since I was little. If I fell, I got right back up and brushed it off, if something bad happened to me, I certainly didn't let it get to me. I was the strongest person in my family. But seeing them without me there made me a puddle of sadness and sorrow. I could hear young me walk up behind me, she then sat down next to me and watching me cautiously, assessing how to comfort me. She looked at me and began to talk "Veronica. Your life may have been shortly lived, and I know you miss your family and life back home. But try to think on the positive side, you may not be with your family, but you can most certainly watch over them and make sure they're safe and sound. And you can still write, which you and I both know you love to do. Don't hold onto this anger and sadness, it will only make it all worse and that much more unbearable." I looked at her, thinking about all she had just said. It was all true, and I had to accept that my life on Earth was no longer an option, but I now have a life here that I can live to the same extent. I stood up, she stood up with me, and I gave her a hug. Nothing more needed to be said. "So where's the food around here?" I asked, she laughed and we started walking.